Piancornello Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2021
(Tuscany, Italy) - [JS 95] [VM 93]

About:

Piancornello is a winery born from strong ties with the land and the hard work of four generations, in a territory where Brunello, the village of Montalcino and a centuries-old history blend together. In 1950, Zefiro Pieri fell in love with Montalcino and acquired the property of Piancornello, which consisted of a rural house dating back to the 1700s and the land surrounding it, and started to plant the first Brunello vineyards. In the years that followed, great part of the family left the estate, with the exception of Alfeo and Silvana Pieri who continued to cultivate it. That tradition continued to live through their son Claudio and the first vintage under the PIancornello brand came out in 1991. 

The name “Pian” refers to the vineyard’s location on a hamlet of rocky, volcanic soil in the Orcia Valley. This warm, southwestern portion of Montalcino produces full-bodied, mineral flavored wines as result of its southern exposure, hilly slopes and alluvial soil.

VINEYARDS

Piancornello is located in the zone of Sesta, between Sant’ Angelo in Colle and Castenuovo dell’Abate, nestled on a plateau facing Val d’Orcia and Mount Amiata on the horizon; it covers a surface of around 20 hectares in an area characterized by a Mediterranean microclimate and steep hills rich in rocks and stones. Such favorable conditions allow organic agriculture and the production of a genuine, elegant and generous Brunello di Montalcino that is inextricably bound to the territory where it is produced. Piancornello has approximately 10 hectares of vineyards in production with vines averaging 10 to 20 years old – 4 hectares are Brunello di Montalcino, 3 hectares are Rosso di Montalcino and 3 hectares are Sant’Antimo. The Certified Organic vineyards sit southfacing between 200 m to 250 m high in the Sesta zone and are planted to carefully selected Sangiovese clones that can withstand drought conditions and high summer temperatures. The allucial soils at Piancornello are rich in rocks, pebbles and sand. Located just south of Montalcino, the Mediterranean sea breeze influences the vineyard microclimate allowing for an early harvest before the rains. All fruit is picked and sorted by hand.

WINEMAKING

The family built a modern winemaking facility that is run by winemaker, Claudio Monaci, Silvana Pieri’s son. The new humidity-controlled facility offers ample provisions for the various barriques (500 L casks and Tonneaux) employed by the winery. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel vats, and the wine is pumped over three times a day during the 15 to 20 days of maceration. Wines are aged for 10 months in new and used French oak barriques, then for 2 years in larger oak casks.

95 Points - James Suckling:
"A graceful, intense and classic Brunello with aromas of smoky wood, raspberries, red cherries and balsamic vibrancy. Medium-bodied, very fragrant and juicy, with crunchy tannins, crisp acidity and a vivid, youthful, chalky finish. Drinkable now, but best from 2027."


93 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2021 Brunello di Montalcino is a dark, brooding wine. It opens with savory notes of crushed ashen stone and herbs, complicating dried black cherries. Juicy to the core and nearly fleshy in feel, it offers masses of ripe red fruits and crunchy mineral tones. A licorice tinge mixes with edgy tannins as the 2021 finishes staining and long, yet remains fresh and focused on purity. (Drink between 2028-2038)" - Eric Guido (Nov 2025)